She Treads Softly: The Uganda Protocol

Sunday, March 8, 2026

The Uganda Protocol

The Uganda Protocol by Jeffrey James Higgins
3/31/26; 454 pages
Severn River Publishing
Nathan Burke #4

The Uganda Protocol by Jeffrey James Higgins is a highly recommended international thriller and the fourth novel featuring Nathan Burke.

FBI Special Agent Nathan Burke is at the airport to take custody of terrorism suspect Imam Omar Yemeni. What he finds instead is a plane full of deceased passengers and Yemeni is no where to be found. This sets into motion an international manhunt for Yemeni, who has many contacts helping him evade being caught. Clearly he and his cohorts are planning something big. Burke needs to find him and thwart the plan.

At the same time Leila Kabiri works as a court interpreter. She is an Iranian immigrant who fled her homeland with her neurodivergent son Darius and mother. As she begins her work as an interpreter, foreign operatives and those working for them begin to contact and threaten her and her family unless she provides them with inside information, placing her in an impossible situation.

This is a well-written, action-packed international thriller in which the tension and suspense keep rising throughout the novel. Time is critical and the conspiracy is global. The stakes are high both internationally and personally as it seems the faction of terrorists is widespread and their actions are planned. As with many thrillers some disbelief must be set aside but this can easily be done along with accepting Burke's seemingly superhuman capabilities. He is an intelligent investigator and exceptionally capable agent who can follow any clues.

The Uganda Protocol can be read as a standalone novel even though it is the fourth book in the series. There is enough general background given on Nathan Burke within the narrative for those who appreciate character development. Everyone reading for the globe-trotting action and heart-stopping action will also be fully rewarded. Those following the series won't want to miss this outing for both the non-stop action and because there are big changes hinted at during the end of the novel. Admittedly, I was hesitant to read this based on current affairs, but after pushing through my misgivings, it proved to be an enjoyable thriller.

The Uganda Protocol is a great choice for readers who enjoy international thrillers. Thanks to Severn River Publishers for providing me with an advance reader's copy via Edelweiss. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

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John Updike's six rules for reviewing:

1. Try to understand what the author wished to do, and do not blame him for not achieving what he did not attempt.

2. Give him enough direct quotation--at least one extended passage--of the book's prose so the review's reader can form his own impression, can get his own taste.

3. Confirm your description of the book with quotation from the book, if only phrase-long, rather than proceeding by fuzzy precis.

4. Go easy on plot summary, and do not give away the ending.

5. If the book is judged deficient, cite a successful example along the same lines, from the author's oeuvre or elsewhere. Try to understand the failure. Sure it's his and not yours?

To these concrete five might be added a vaguer sixth, having to do with maintaining a chemical purity in the reaction between product and appraiser.....Review the book, not the reputation.... Better to praise and share than blame and ban. The communion between reviewer and his public is based upon the presumption of certain possible joys in reading, and all our discriminations should curve toward that end.